The purpose of The First Academy National Honor Society chapter shall be to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to motivate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character in students of The First Academy. Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, honorary, and graduate. Active members become graduate members at graduation. Graduate and honorary members have no vote in chapter affairs. Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, or service may be dismissed from the TFA Chapter of NHS. Membership in this chapter is an honor bestowed upon deserving students, and shall be based on the criteria of Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.

National Honor Society Guidelines

Candidacy Requirements (Scholarship & Character)

Candidacy is granted to students based on scholastic merit, upstanding character, leadership potential, and service. Students must be enrolled for one semester prior to being nominated for candidacy. To be granted candidacy, a student must initially qualify academically with a 3.75-unweighted cumulative grade point average or above in the core academic and religion classes and have no more than four (4) minor infractions (Level 1 – Level 2) the semester prior of induction and no major infractions (Level 3 – Level 4) throughout the student’s high school tenure. Those students and families choosing not to accept admission into the honor society should notify the faculty advisor of such a decision immediately.

Selection and Induction Process
In the spring of the current school year, rising Juniors and Seniors who meet the academic and discipline requirements will be invited to complete an Application Form. The academic requirement will be determined by the Guidance Office, based on the unweighted GPA requirement of 3.75 for Bible and Core Academic courses, and the discipline requirement will be determined by the Assistant Principal using the criteria above. A Faculty Council will evaluate each student’s completed Application Form and will make a recommendation for each candidate’s acceptance into the society. If accepted, students will be invited to join the National Honor Society and must participate in the induction ceremony to be considered members. Parents will be invited to attend the induction ceremony which will take place during the Fall semester of the following school year.

Membership and Maintenance Requirements

In addition to the requirements of scholarship (maintain 3.75 unweighted GPA or better in Bible and Core Academics) and character (not exceeding more than four (4) minor infractions [Level 1 – Level 2] in one semester and no major infractions [Level 3 – Level 4] throughout the student’s high school tenure), leadership and service are also vital elements of NHS. To maintain membership a student must not exceed more than four (4) minor infractions (Level 1 – Level 2) in one semester and no major infractions (Level 3 – Level 4) throughout the their high school tenure any subsequent semester, or drop below the minimum GPA requirement for membership. Students will be required to complete community service and leadership/participation as outlined below.

Community Service

Upper School – Complete TWO service projects each year of membership

Leadership and Participation

Upper School – enroll in one additional co-curricular organization, club, or team outside NHS.

The First Academy Chapter of NHS Procedures

Maintain 3.75 unweighted GPA

A student who falls below the 3.75 GPA minimum standard may reach dismissal from the chapter. Students may appeal the dismissal to the chapter advisor and the Upper School administrator.

Maintain Code of Honesty and Integrity

A student who exceeds 10 demerits during any semester of membership may reach dismissal from the chapter. Students may appeal the dismissal to the chapter advisor and the Upper School administrator.

Chapter Service Projects

A student must complete a minimum of TWO service projects each year to maintain NHS membership, not for induction. Chapter officers will announce chapter projects. The Chapter officers will aim to complete a minimum of four chapter service projects per school year. The Chapter officers will be the driving force behind completion of chapter projects.

Chapter Officers Positions

President and Vice-President: Manage planning and organization of the club

Secretary: Manage meetings, member participation, and announcements

Treasurer: Record chapter expenses, manage member participation

Voting and Selection Process

Flyers and announcements posted for two weeks prior to voting Email communication sent to NHS members Election of new officers will take place near the close of each school year Interested students see the chapter advisor Current Chapter President leads a required meeting for all interested officer candidates Candidates approved by administration Voting takes place by ballot.

Chapter Dues

Chapter dues in the amount of $15.00 are collected through the business office from each chapter member upon confirmation of membership. An email is sent to the parents, from the NHS Advisor, notifying about the payment method and directions. Please do not attempt to make the dues payment until you have received an email from janellpenny@thefirstacademy.org with payment directions.

The Chapter dues payment is required prior to the student’s participation in the formal induction ceremony, which takes place in Fall. The member dues offset the costs associated with the graduation ceremony cords. The member dues also offset costs associated with the formal NHS induction ceremony. Each chapter member is required to contribute the $15.00 chapter dues.

Promote science education and networking with professionals through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; in the past the club has built a 3D Printer, attended competitions and tutored students in math and science.